Folding crate.



R. H. GODDARD.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9, 190s.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

witnesses R. BT. GODDARD.

' FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED MAY 9. 1908.

. 934,156, Patented sept. 14,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ANDREW. a. GRAHAM co., Puotumoanwnzns. wAsmucncN. n. c.

B.. H. GODDARD.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9, 190e.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909. s SHEETS-SHEET 3.

"un h1 eases RALPH HOWARD GODDARD, 0F SHELBY, INDIANA.

FOLDING CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 9, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH H. GODDARD, a citizen of the Dominion ofCanada, residing at Shelby, Indiana, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in foldable egg crates and thelike, and consists of the novel features of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully describedandclairned.

The object of the invention is to improve and simplify the constructionand operation of devices of this character and thereby render the samestronger and more durable in construction, less expensive and moreconvenient and effective in use.

The above and other objects of the invention, as will hereinafterappear, are attained in its' preferred embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved crate set up for use; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical longitudinaland transverse sections; Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section;

'Fioz 5 is a perspective view showing the a u a n crate collapsed orclosed; Fig. 6 1s a sectional view through the crate in its closedposition; Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing the detachable pivotalconnection for the partition; Fig. 9 is a detail view showing one of thepivoted catches for the partition; and Fig. 1() is an enlarged detailsection showing the finger piece on one of the fastening rods.

The body of my improved crate comprises a bottom 1 from the oppositeside edges of which rise the stationary parts 2 of the two sides of thecrate, said sides also having swinging parts 3 which are united to theparts 2 by strap hinges 4 so that said parts 3 fold inwardly. The part 2on one side is slightly higher than said part on the other side so thatthe swinging parts will lie horizontal and in parallel relation on eachother when the crate is collapsed. The strap hinges 4 are preferably setin the inner faces of the parts 2, 3 and their lower leaves are bentinwardly at right angles, as shown at 5, and secured to the under faceof the bottom 1 to strengthen said bottom and also to form wear platesfor the same. The ends of the swinging parts 3 are reinforced by metalplates 6 set in the outer faces of the latter and bent around their endedges, as

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

serial No. 431,964.

shown at 7, so as to effectively reinforce and strengthen the same.

8 denotes two end strips which rise from the ends of the bottom 1 andunite the ends of the stationary parts 2 of the sides. These strips orparts S not only effectively strengthen and reinforce the bottom butalso serve as abutments and braces for the swinging ends 9 of the crate.pivoted or hinged at their lower ends to the bottom 1 close to thestrips 8 so as to swing downwardly into the body and to lie flat againstthe bottom 1 when the crate is collapsed. Each of said ends 9 consistsof a rectangular portion of less height than half the length of thebottom and two upright cleats 10 which are secured upon the outer facesof the rectangular body portion of the end, suitable recesses beingprovided in the inner face of each strip 8 to receive the cleats 10 whenthe crate is set up for use. The hinge connection for each .of the ends9 consists of hinge straps 11 secured beneath the cleats 10 and engagedwith a transverse pivot rod 12 secured upon the bottom 1 adjacent to oneof the strips 8 by staples or similar fastenings 13. It will be seenthat this construction provides an exceedingly strong and durablestructure and that the hinG'e connections will be effectively braced bylihe strips S. If desired, hand pieces 14 may be provided upon the outerfaces of the ends 9.

15 denotes the partition which is removably pivoted to the parts 2 ofthe sides and above a transverse strip or cleat 16 arranged upon thebottom 1 to strengthen and reinforce the same. Said strip or cleat 16eX- tends through the parts 2 and in its top is a semi-circular grooveor channel to receive the bottoni edge of the partition. `The detachablepivotal connection for the partition consists of a stationary pivot 17projecting from one of its lower corners and a retractable pivot 18projecting from the other lower corner of the same. The stationary pivotis in the form of a rod fixed between a metal binding strip 19 securedon the bottom edge of the partition 15 and a U-shaped metal plate 20which lits over the bottom of said partition adjacent to one of its endsand is suitably secured, as clearly shown in the drawings. A AsimilarU-shaped plate 21 is secured on said bottom edge ofthe partitionadjacent to its other end and it is adapted to form a bearing for theretractable pivot Said ends 9 are s Cil 18, which. latter is slidablyandirotatablyv coming casually retracted, by a pivoted catch or lockingplate 24 pivoted at 25 and having its other end provided witha fingerpiece oi'lprojectionV 2G by means of which the lower corner of said endmay be inw serted beneath and removed from a raised portion 27 oftheplate 21, which portion 27 formsfa keeper. When the catch 24 is raisedto disengage the arm 22 the latter may be swung downwardly to throw itout of the recess 28 and it may be then movedV lono'itudinall in-aninward` direction te is. y

retract the pivot 18. Said pivots 17, 18 are adapted to engage bearingopenings formed in metal reinforcing plates 28 set in the innerfaces ofthe stationary parts 2 of the sides at the ends of the strip or cleat16. hen it is desired to place the partition in position in thevcratethe pivot 18 is'retracted Y'and Ythe pivot 17 is then engaged with itsVbearing opening in one of the plates 28 and Y after theend of the pivot18 is brought into -alinement with its bearing opening in the otherplate 28 the finger piece 'or arm 22 is operated to project the pivot 18and then lockedby means of the catch 24.

In order to secure the partition in an right position so'as to preventit Vfrom col lapsing and to Vstrengthen the sides of the crate Iprovide, adjacent to each of the upper corners of theopartition, pivotedcatches 29 adapted to engage the upper edges of the swinging members 3of thesides of the crate'.

Said catches 29 are U-shaped and have the -en'ds of their arms 'bent vatright angles to Y tions. The arms of said catches, when the o of thepartition by means of keeper pins 35V provide hooksBO to takeover theparts 3. The catches are pivoted in recesses 31 in the upper edge of thepartition by means of'stap'les'32 which engage their closed innerporlatter are in an operative positiomare adapted todrop into recesses83 formed in the opposite faces of the partition adjacent to its'corners and recesses or notches 34 formed inY the upper edge of theparts 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. When the catches are retracted theyare held upon the upper edge which project upwardly from the upper edgeof the partition and are adapted to eX- ytend between the arms of thecatches. Y Y

36'denotes the cover of the crate which has depending from its edgesside and end flanges 37, 38 to fit over the sides and ends At the innerend of theA of the body. The corners of thistop-orr"Y cover arepreferably vreinforced by Vangle met-al plates 89.Y The cover isvsecuredupon the body andthe sides andends of the latteifVV 'i 'Y areeffectively united by tworemovablerods 40, 41 which .are passedtransverselythrough the flanges 37Vof the cover, theparts 8 ofthe sides,andthe ends 9, as clearly shown in"Y Y Fig. 4V of the drawings. @Thefiangesj-orm-`V Y parts 37 are formed withopeningsr42v Vto receive saidrods and to aline with openings 48 in the metal plates (tot the parts 3,which openings 48 in turn register with opposing` grooves 44 formed inthe ends 9 and their vcleats 10. In order to retain the rodsin theirlocking posit-ion I preferably provide" upon t-hem at 'one end pivotedfinger piecesA i or rings 45 and upon theflanges'87`spring V catches 46to hold rsaid finger pieces in recesses 47 in said flanges 87. Y VThekspring catches 46 are in the formi of flat leaf springs securedat oneen'd to the flanges 87 andhaving their other ends provided with heads.to engage said finger pieces and press them into the recesses andbeneath Vthe outer face ofthe fianges 37. Owing' to this construc- .1

tion it will be seen that there will 'benoprof Y jecting parts upon theexteriorfof the crateY to become caught and broken while the lat-V terisin transportation; When lthe cover is removed from the body' of thecrate thetie rods Vmay be passed 'through the openings 48, 44 in thesides and ends of the crate `to hold said parts together, but ifdesired, the cover maybe inverted and the bottom. of thecrate Topermitof the latter, openingsl48 are' formed inthe parts 2, saidopenings 48jbe-VL ing soV disposed as to-register withtheopenfings 42 inthe'flanges87iwhennthe bottomv the body is set in thecover, therebypermitting of the insertion of theY fastening rods.

When said rods are thus Yapplied it willfbe i 'Y seen that they willhold the ends in QDP" right position. In collapsing or folding the Ycrate, the'ends are folded down upon the bosom, nio poration io thonfoiao'a in @aber direction iipon one ofthe ends,the twoisidesf' arethen, folded inwardly, theV one having the narrow stationary strip beingbelowrthe in position upon'rthe folded parts andose@ cured by the tierods, as shownin'Figgf ilVhen'the crate is Vfolded it occupiesbutrlit- Ytle space so that` itV may be convenientlystored `away or transported. Yj Y' It will be understood that my improved crate may be used forshipping merchandise ofvarious kinds but it is especially adapted Y foruse an egg crate and when used as such suitable filler sectionsV arearranged'in it to separate the eggs. Thesefillersections?fjV arecollapsible andcan be placed in `the 'crate when thelatter iscollapsed'orfolded.'vk Y Freinv the foregoing description takenfin Y 100s set in it andsecured therein by said Ytie rodsi Y A other andthe topof the crate is then'placedl n f connection with the accompanyingdrawings it is thought that the construction, operation and advantagesof the invention will be readily understood without a" more extendedexplanation.

Having thus described I claim is:

l. A folding crate comprising a body having a bottom, two sides, eachcomposed of a stationary part rising from one edge of the bottoni andformed with openings adjacent its ends and a swinging part hinged to thestationary part, end strips rising from the end edges of the bottom andrigidly uniting the stationary parts of the sides, folding end membershinged to the bottoni within the end strips, and adapted to be braced bythe latter, said folding end members being formed adjacent to theirupper edges with openings extending transversely therethrough, a coverhaving a surrounding flange, the side portions of the flange beingformed with openings to register with the transverse openings in the`swinging end members when the crate is set up and to register with theopenings in the stationary parts of the sides when the crate is folded,removable tie rods arranged in said registering openings to hold thecover upon the crate in either its set up or folded position, and meansfor securing said tie rods in position.

2. A folding crate comprising a body having a bottom, two sides eachcomposed of a stationary part rising from one edge of the bottom and aswinging part hinged to the stationary part, end strips rising from theend edges of the bottom and rigidly uniting the stationary parts of thesides, folding end members hinged to the bottom within the end stripsand adapted to be braced by the latter, a downwardly folding partitionhinged to the bottom of the body, catches upon the partition to engagethe sides of the body, a flanged cover, removable tie rods for holdingthe cover upon the body, said tie rods being passed transversely andhorizontally through alined openings in the lange of the cover, theswinging parts of the sides, and said end members, and means forsecuring said tie rods in position.

3. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottom,inwardly folding ends and sides carried by the bottom, a flanged cover,removable tie rods for holding the cover on the body, said tie rodsbeing passed through alined openings in the flanges of the cover, saidsides and said ends, hand loops pivoted upon the ends of said tie rodsand adapted to enter recesses in the flanges of the cover, and springcatches upon the flanges of the cover to engage said hand loops andretain them in said recesses.

t. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottoni,inwardly folding my invention what ends and `sides carried by thebottom, a flanged cover, removable tie rods for holding the cover uponthe body, said tie rods being passed through alined openings in theflanges of the cover, said sides and said ends and having hand pieces,and catches upon the flanges of the cover to engage the hand pieces ofthe tie rods and retain them in position.

ln a folding crate, the combination of a body, foldable sides and ends,a detacliably pivoted Ypartition in the body, a stationary pivot at oneside of said partition, a ietractable pivot at the other side of saidpartition and a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot inprojected position.

6. ln a folding crate, the combination of a body, foldable sides andends, a detachably pivoted partition in the body, a stationary pivot atone side of said partit-ion, a retractable pivot at the other side ofsaid partition, and a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivotin its` projected position.

7. In a folding crate, the combination of a bodyv having a bottoni,foldable ends and sides carried by the bottoni, each of said sideshaving stationary parts rising from the side edges of the bottoni andswinging paits hinged to the stationary parts, a detachably pivotedpartition, a stationary pivot at one of the lower corners of thepartition to engage a bearing upon the stationary part of one side, aretractable pivot at the other lower corner of the partition to engage abearing upon the stationary part of the other side, a pivoted catch forholding said retractable pivot in projected position, means forattaching the upper portion of the partition to the swinging parts ofthe sides and means for holding said sides and ends in open position.

8. in a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottoni,foldable ends and sides carried by the bottom, each of said sides havingstationary parts rising from 'the side edges of the bottom and swingingparts 'hinged to the stationary parts, bearing plates upon thestationary parts of the sides, a stationary pivot at one of the lowercorners of the partition to engage one of said bearing plates, aretractable pivot at the other lower corner of the partition and adaptedto engage the other bearing plate, said retractable pivot being slidablyandrotatably mounted and having an ope/'ating arm, the latter beingadapted to engage a recess in the partition when the pivot is projected,a catch for holding said arm in said recess, means for attaching theupper portion of the partition to the swinging parts of the sides, andmeans for holding the sides and ends in open position.

9. In a folding crate, the combination of a body, a detacliably pivotedpartition arranged within the same, a stationary pivot at one corner ofthe partition to engage a bearing upon one side of the body, aretractable pivot slidably mounted at the op posite corner of thepartition to engage a bearing upon the other side of the body and apivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot projected.

l0. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a side, apartition in the body, said partition having in its edge a transverserecess and in its opposite sides longitudinal recesses .communicatingwith the transverse recess and forming between them a reduced portion ortongue, and a U-shaped catch pivoted at its closed end in the transverserecessA of the partition and adapted to receive said tongue, the arms ofsaid catch being' adapt ed to enter said longitudinal recesses .and'having their ends bent to form hooks to take over the side of the body.

11. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a side, apartition in the body, said partition having in its edge a transverserecess and in its opposite sides longitudinal recesses communicatingwith the transverse recess and forming between them a reduced portion ortongue, a U-shaped catch having its parallelV arms bent to provide hooksdto take over the side of the body, a staple'pivoting the closed portionof thek catch in the transverse recess in the partition, said parallelarms of the catch being adapted to enter said longitudinal recesseswhereby the tongue extends into the catch and serves as a guide for thesame when in its operative position and engaged with the side `of thebody, and a pin upon the partition` to enter between the arms of thecatch when the lat- Y ter is swung over to an inoperative upon the edgeof the partition.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alliX my signature in the presence oftwor witnesses.

RALPH HOWARD GQDDARD. Witnesses:

D. F. VJLsoN, F. HALLIWELL.

position

